 APPLICATION NOTE

CAPACITIVE DISCHARGE IGNITION

A. BREMOND
P. MERCERON

1. INTRODUCTION 2. CDI PRINCIPE

In the world of small motor, such as mopeds or
lawn movers the ignition system design is based
exclusively on CDI (1). In automobile CDI was in
the past only used in the replacement module mar-
ket. Today, due to new standards of pollution con-
trol, the CDI system is becoming one of the most
efficient choice available.
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the behav-
ior of the CDI, the solutions we propose today in
small motor applications and the state of the art in
automotive.
Fig. 1 : General CDI block diagram
The spark necessary to ignite the air/petrol mixture
in the combustion chamber is produced by the CDI
module. This system consists of 7 stages.
HV supply
The HV supply differs from small motors to auto-
mobiles.The small one or two cylinder motors one
or two stroke have a fly-wheel which includes a
supply winding. This coil produces, after rectifica-
tion, a positive voltage variable between 100V and
400V.
The HV for an automobile CDI is supplied by a
DC/DC converter. This stage produces generally
400V from the 12V battery voltage.

HV
SUPPLY

CAPACITOR SWITCH IGNITION SPARK

COIL PLUG

SENSOR

CONDITIONING

(1) CDI : Capacitive Discharge Ignition

AN819/0695 1/8
APPLICATION NOTE

Capacitor - For the most sophisticated small engine and all

The capacitor between 0.47 and 2µF is used
firstly, to store the charge from the HV supply.
During the second phase of the ignition cycle the
capacitor is discharged through the ignition cir-
cuit.
Switch
The switch transfers the energy stored in the ca-
pacitor to the primary of the ignition coil. This func-
tion is carried out by a SCR or a triac. The switch is
generally linked to a diode for the reverse current.
Sensor
The goal of the sensor is to synchronize the spark
with the engine rotation. For the small motor the
sensor detects a bump at each engine revolution.
For car modules the sensor system gives a pulse
for each cylinder ignition point.
Conditioning
The conditioning is a very important stage which
must assume the following functions :
- Optimisation of the SCR gate current for all the
RPM range.
- Filtering of parasitic strikes occurring on the
sensor signal.
the car systems, it has to ensure the correct
lead angle.
This stage is realised using few passive compo-
nents for small motor modules, while for automo-
tive management systems a microprocessor is
needed.
Ignition coil
The ignition coil is a step up transformer which de-
livers high voltage to the spark plug. This value can
be between 5 and 20kV depending on the working
conditions.
Spark plug
The spark plug is the final element of the ignition
chain. High engine efficiency and a complete gas
combustion are linked to a good spark quality .
Generally we estimate a minimum of 20 millijoules
is necessary at spark plug.
3. HOW DOES IT WORK ?
Two different topologies are possible.
3.1. First topology
Figure 2 shows the first possibility of discharge
circuit.

Fig. 2 : First CDI topology

C
PR SE

Ith

HV D SPARK
IPR
SUPPLY SCR PLUG

Ig
Id

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 APPLICATION NOTE

When spark is needed a current Ig is injected to the The SCR conducts during all the positive phases of
SCR gate which then fires the SCR. The SCR firing the discharge current while the diode D acts for the
initiates the capacitor discharge which generates negative parts.
an alternative current.

Fig. 3 : Discharge current through the circuit

SCR CURRENT
10A/div.
0-
0- DIODE CURRENT
10A/div.

CURRENT THROUGH
THE IGNITION COIL
PRIMARY
10A/div.
0-

3.2. Second topology

In the topology shown by figure 4 the SCR acts Then the free wheeling diode D conducts as long
during the first part of the current cycle until the ca- as there is energy remaining on the primary coil.
pacitor voltage reverse.

Fig. 4 : Second CDI topology

C PR SE

Ith Id
HV SPARK
IPR PLUG
SUPPLY SCR D

Ig

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APPLICATION NOTE

Fig. 5 : Discharge current through the circuit

SCR CURRENT
10A/div.
0-

DIODE CURRENT
10A/div.
0-

CURRENT THROUGH
THE IGNITION COIL
PRIMARY
10A/div.

0-
4. SMALL ENGINE SYSTEM
Figure 6 shows the topology we have chosen for diodes for D2 and D3 instead of 1000V user in
the small motor CDI module. other design. The capacitance C1 is loaded by the
The supply coil generates an alternating voltage, in positive rectified current.
which the positive parts are rectified by D2 and the
negative parts are clamped by D3. This circuit con-
figuration allows the designer to use 400V

Fig. 6 : Small motor DCI principle circuit

STOP

D1 D2 C1

SUPPLY SPARK
COIL D3 SCR
PLUG

FLY WHEEL
R
SENSOR C2 D4

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 APPLICATION NOTE

Fig. 7 : Sensor coil signal

5V/div.

0-
1ms/div.

The sensor coil generates, at each engine revolu- Due to parasitic voltage occurring on the sensor
tion a signal as shown in figure 7. signal we suggest the use of the conditioning stage
The negative part of this signal is clamped by D4 shown in figure 8.
while the positive part produces a current through
the gate, firing the SCR.
Fig. 8 : Conditioning stage

C2

R1
C
Vs

This gate drive circuit, using R1 between 1 and

10kΩ and C1 between 1 and 10µF allows the SCR
to run without problems of parasitic firing.

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APPLICATION NOTE

5. SMALL MOTOR APPLICATION CIRCUIT

Figures 9 and 10 show the same application R max = (VS min - VGT max) / 2 IGT max
circuit using bot h ICC01 and ICC03. In both
cases the conditioning stage limits the cur- with Vs = sensor voltage.
rent through the gate, its maximum value be-
ing calculated as follows :
Fig. 9 : CDI using ICC03

STOP
1 ICC03
D1 D2 C1
8 6-7

SUPPLY SPARK
COIL D3 SCR
PLUG
4 3

FLY WHEEL

SENSOR CONDITIONING

Fig. 10 : CDI using ICC01

STOP
2 ICC01
D1 D2 C1
15 3-14

SUPPLY 12 SCR SPARK

COIL D3
PLUG
5 4

6-11
FLY WHEEL

CONDITIONING
SENSOR

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 APPLICATION NOTE

6. CAR CDI SYSTEMS

Figure 11 shows the general block diagram of
an automobile engine management module. In
such a system the ignition function is linked to
a µC which assumes also the other functions
needed for a correct operation of the engine.
For example the crank shaft angle detector is not
directly connected to the CDI switch but condi-
tioned by theµC.

Fig. 11 : Engine management module block diagram

+12V VOLTAGE
PROTECTION
REGULATOR

INTERFACE
CRANK MARKER

IGNITION
CONDITIONING

KNOCK SENSOR
SIGNAL

µC
INJECTION

TEMPERATURE INTERFACE

PRESSURE

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APPLICATION NOTE

The circuit of figure 12 is an example of a CDI for

an automotive engine. This uses two SCR directly
triggerable by µC outputs.

Fig. 12 : Example of CDI circuit for automotive

+400V
-12V
DC / DC
CONVERTER C

TH

R1 D

CRANCK SHAFT R2

ANGLE SENSOR

µP

TH
R’1 D

R’2

7. CONCLUSION
Capacitive discharge ignition systems are
the only choice for the small engines. They
are also found frequently in racing car en-
gine management computer. For the future
the CDI could be the solution meet the new
anti-pollution standard requirements.

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consequences of use of such information nor for any infringement of patents or other rights of third parties which may result from its use. No
license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent rights of SGS-THOMSON Microelectronics. Specifications mentioned
in this publication are subject to change without notice. This publication supersedes and replaces all information previously supplied.
SGS-THO MSON Microelectronics products are not authorized for use as critical components in life support devices or systems without express
written approval of SGS-THOMSON Microelectronics.

 1996 SGS-THOMSON Microelectronics - Printed in Italy - All rights reserved.

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